Maruti Suzuki S-Presso has, surprisingly, secured a 3-star rating in the recently concluded Global NCAP crash tests under the Safer Cars for Africa programme. The crash-tested S-Presso is the updated model that’s also sold in India.
In 2020, Global NCAP tested the S-Presso here, and it got a rather poor 0-star rating as the model just had a driver-side airbag. But, the updated model features dual airbags as a standard fitment.
The protection offered to the driver and passenger’s head and neck was good. But, the driver’s chest revealed weak protection and the passenger’s chest revealed adequate protection.
The driver’s knees had marginal protection as they can impact with dangerous structures behind the dashboard supported by the transfascia tube. But, the passenger’s knees had good protection.
The driver’s left tibia and both passengers tibias faced adequate protection but the driver’s
right tibia had marginal protection. The bodyshell and footwell area were rated as unstable and they were not capable of withstanding further loadings.
The car offers standard seat belt reminders for driver and passenger but does not meet Global NCAP requirements. All of the above explains the 3 stars for adult occupant protection, and the manufacturer had refused to recommend child restraint systems for the test.
Despite the child seat being installed front way facing with the adult seatbelt, it was not able to prevent excessive head excursion during the impact, resulting in poor protection for the head and poor protection for the chest.
For the 1.5-year-old, the child seat was installed rear-facing using the adult seatbelt and offered good protection to the head but poor protection to the chest. Child restraint system marking was ok, and it didn’t show incompatibility.
Three-point seat belts are not provided in every position of the vehicle (lap belts are provided only in the rear centre seat). All of the above explains the 2 stars for child occupant protection.